San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-07-20
Odd Story Of Justice.

II
dur. And they could not say that il was not
prosperous, for its name stood high in ies
own branch Of business; and it had never
been known TO go in for rash speculatiOns or
risky profits. But what people did say, and
there were old fOgies on Change never tired
of repeating ii, was that there was too much
Young blood in Parkmans'. go into Park
MANS" these would say, 'and you'll have
young man to deal with, unless you have the
luck to do with old ParlmanV treatment
which theF seemed 10 think most offensive.
And of course when old Parkman died rather
suddenly, these carpeTs were still more tri-
umphant There was no saving clause now
when they stated the treatment you might
expect at Parklnans' For the second part
ner was only a sleeping partner-sIeeping, it
was currently reported on fine estate in
Ross-shire-and young Parkman-well, he
was young Parkman. Then CntchlOw, the
cashier, was young for cashier, being under
40; and Crisp the head clerk, was very
young, being something over 80. And alto
gether Parkmans might expect, for some
time to come, to hear good deal about its
young blood
1t was 9 o'clock on Saturday some three
WtChS dlAtl Olu MI L Ai hhifth htdlil' III
the large office the clerks were putting away
their books and getting down their hats.
There was a murmur of talk about the river,
or Wimbledon, or whatever amusement they
seterally had in view for the afternoon,
when tall man, dressed in dark mourning
and wearing his hat, entered from an inner
room. The noise sank to respectful hum.
He was handsome man, with a short, fair
Ia, o,,I Iiprbt hI1,a aNra1 Ia InI
pleasantly TO one or two of the clerks and
walked through to where glass case in
corner indicated the sanctum of the head
clerk. Crisp small, slender, darkroom
pexiOned man, looked up peevishly as the
chief entered, but seeing who it was would
have got down from his stool.
"Sit STILL the merchant said, laying his
hand lightly on the others shoulder to stay
him. IL am only waiting for the carriage
1t is more pleasant here than in the outer
Office. You are not going about yOar usual
business to-day, think, Crisp, eh?''
The clerks face flushed.
mo, Mr. James," he said, Il am not"
"What, haven't you made it up with her
yet?'
The young man shook his head and then
broke out suddenly with:
Anu Mlldi - lllOlt, Nll. MY ltulptI Has
been so bad ever since CritchlOw found out
this deficiency that l should be afraid of
making matters worse. don't wonder she
could not stand it; 1t is no good my trying to
make 1t up with her till | have cleared that
up. Then shall be myself again, and can
look her in the face. As told you, sir, l
shall come back at 4, and go through the
books quietly by myself. | shall never for
get your kindness, sir, never! But that
CritchlOw is so trying there's not a clerk
in the Office does not know that there is
something the matter with my accounts"
Crisp spoke with deep feeling, and it was
evident that the other believed him.
Don't think too much of itp' he said
kindly. "If it can not be explained, |
shall still trust you. 1t is but a small
amount. Try to hit upon the blot"
''TryW cried the head clerk; I've tried
again and again"
He passed his hands through his hair until
it stood on end, and with his bright, black
eyes gave him very wild look.
well, do your best" the merchant an
swered, drawing on his gloves. You know
my poor father had every confidence in you
as he had in your father-and | have the
same Crisp
And then he went, the young man looking
after him with grateful, almost worshipping
eyes. There were few men in his position
and at his age so invariably kind and con-
siderate to their interiors as was James
Parkman. Old Parkman had been the
same, and father and son enjoyed a rare
popularity in the office. 1t was whispered,
but probably there was no truth in the ma
liciOus rumOr that they never Quarreled save
with one another.
Crisp sat for some minutes bordering. and
If his face was any index to his thought,
upon some unpleasant subject Then he
arose, and taking his hat went into the outer
office. There were still two or three clerks
there, detained by some small matters, and
talking to them in a sharp, rasping voice
was a stout black-whiskered, shOrt-faced
man.
mot found it out yet?' he said to Crisp in
sneering tone. He was Critchlow, the
Cashier.
NO." retOrted the head clerk, NOR likely
to while there is so much noise in the Officer
''Well, if were you, I'd stay and find it
out, if l stayed until tomorrow. But it is
fine to be you. I've got to stay until or
whereabouts, error or no error"
Il think" said Crisp, wrathfully, seeing
the clerks upon the broad grin, that l
should make it hot for you if stayed long
with you anywherep
And without waiting to hear the Cashiers
retOrt, or the burst of Laughter which his own
excited answer evoked from the youngsters,
he passed out and ran down the stairs and
through the quiet alley into the street.
CHAPTER II.
1t was haIf-past when Crisp, after thread